Segmented observable activity enclosure and method of use

ABSTRACT

An activity enclosure and method of use thereof, the enclosure having a play area with a centrally located portion for parental observation of children at play. The enclosure has benches and barbecue grills, and radially-extending play segments that selectively include basketball, croquet, miniature golf, golf pool, paddleball, a sandpit, a Jungle Gym, and so forth. The central portion is covered to protect from the elements. The entire play area is fenced in and may comprise a variety of overall shapes (square, rectangle circle, etc.) with a central portion having radial play segments emanating therefrom. Game equipment with identifying names is provided to new home purchasers for utilizing on the play areas.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to activity enclosures, and morespecifically to a segmented observable activity enclosure and method ofuse thereof, wherein the segmented observable activity enclosure issuited for children, and wherein caregivers can interact with each otherwhilst readily observing children at play.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Previously, attempts to provide recreational areas for children havebeen limited to providing courts for play of discrete games, orprovision of playground apparatuses for use by children undersupervision of adults. Such courts or playgrounds require that the adultbe present with the child, since the courts or playgrounds are typicallyin an area disassociated from the child's home. Unfortunately, suchcourts or playgrounds lack facilities for adults to interact with otheradults and/or to carry out activities such as cooking, without leavingthe court/playground area.

Further, many families have more than a single child, and, accordingly,the children may have different activity needs and/or desires. Thus, intraditional play areas, only a single child can be readily observed by asingle parent.

Moreover, as noted above, when parents are supervising and observingtheir children at play, it is desirable that the parents have theopportunity for other activities of their own and/or in concert withtheir children. Such other activities often include conducting a familymeal, wherein the children can play, under close observation, while theparent(s) prepare a meal. Subsequently, when the meal is ready, thechildren are in close proximity and can quickly join their parents inpartaking of food. Unfortunately, previous play areas neither provide acentral observation location, nor the facilities for communication withothers, nor the ability to prepare and eat food.

For instance, one such previous invention includes a ticket stationlocated generally centrally in proximity to several round basketballcourts that are subdivided in quadrants. Another device comprises agenerally rectangular track with an infield having courts therein. Aplayground deck of another apparatus comprises an assortment ofplayground activities, such as a slide, a climbing web, a bridge and aladder.

While some of the aforementioned devices may well function to provide aplay area for children, none of the devices provides an area for adultsto socialize together, to cook, serve and eat food with their children,while maintaining a watchful eye on their children at play.

Therefore, it is readily apparent that there is a need for a segmentedobservable activity enclosure and method of use that overcomes theafore-mentioned disadvantages and provides a safe, secure location forchildren to play while being observed by socializing adults.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly described, in a preferred embodiment, the present inventionovercomes the afore-mentioned disadvantages and meets the recognizedneed for such a device by providing a segmented observable activityenclosure having a play area with a centrally located portion withbenches and grills for parental observation, and radially-extending playsegments that selectively include basketball, croquet, miniature golf,golf pool, paddleball, sandpit, Jungle Gym, etc. The central portion iscovered to protect from the elements. The entire play area is fenced inand may comprise any overall shape (square, rectangle circle, etc.),with a central portion and radial play segments emanating therefrom.Game equipment with identifying names is provided to new homepurchasers.

According to its major aspects and broadly stated, the present inventionin its preferred form is a lighted segmented observable activityenclosure within a security perimeter of a fence with lockable accessgate. The enclosure has a central observation position covered by acanopy, with seating areas, such as, for exemplary purposes only, picnictables and benches, and food preparation equipment, such as, forexemplary purposes only, barbecue grills. The enclosure is generallycircular, generally square or generally rectangular, and the activityareas are in generally pie-shaped or generally triangular segments.

One or more activity areas for children extend radially from the centralobservation position. The activity areas comprise croquet pitches,miniature golf courses, basketball goal-courts, bocce ball courts, golfpool layout, paddleball, sand pit, Jungle Gym, badminton courts andhorseshoe pitches. Equipment for playing at the various activities,labeled for the owner thereof, is provided to home purchasers upontaking ownership of their home.

Families enter the enclosure, and children and/or adults play with thegame equipment labeled with indicia representing the owner thereof onthe activity areas radially extending from a central observationlocation. Parents in the central observation location can cook and/orserve food, communicate with one another, and socialize, all whileobserving their children.

More specifically, the present invention is a segmented observableactivity enclosure, and method of use thereof, the enclosure comprisingsegments, a central observation area, a fence with restricted accessgate, light standards and lines delineating the boundaries of thesegments. The segments have selected game fields/courts, such as, forexemplary purposes only, croquet pitches, miniature golf courses,paddleball courts, basketball courts, and a play area. The basketballcourts have both large basketball courts for adults and large children,and small basketball courts for smaller children. An open play area,with or without a Jungle Gym, also has a sand pit. Games are playedutilizing game implements provided when a home in the subdivision ispurchased. The implements include mallets, paddles, balls, clubs, etc.,that are marked with the name of the homeowner to provide for theirreturn in the event of loss.

The activity areas can be varied by the homeowners' association bychanging one or more of the segments to accommodate new games. In thisfashion, the entire play area does not have to be changed to provide newand interesting game varieties, thus minimizing the cost to smallsubdivisions.

The central observation area is covered by a canopy, and has grills,tables and benches therein. The grills are centrally located within theobservation area, the tables circle the grills and are themselvescircled by benches. Residents of the subdivision can choose to sit onbenches, at tables, or to cook while observing the play and security oftheir children.

Children and adults wishing to utilize the activity facilities enter theenclosure via a restricted access gate. The surrounding fence definesthe enclosure and serves to prevent unauthorized access. Adults and/orchildren can then play, socialize, communicate and/or cook and eatwithin the protected enclosure that permits observation of children bytheir parents. Lights permit activities to be carried out during dusk ordarkness, and a canopy provides shelter during periods of inclementweather.

An alternate embodiment of the present invention comprises a rectangularactivity enclosure having triangular segments for games/activities, acentral observation area, a restricted access gate, light standards andsegment division lines. The alternate embodiment further includes golfpool, and a miniature golf course that extends across two triangularsegments.

Accordingly, a feature and advantage of the present invention is itsability to provide a secure enclosure for children at play.

Another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability topermit adults to observe their children at play, while the adultscommunicate, socialize and/or cook.

Still another feature and advantage of the present invention is itsability to provide a variety of different games to suit the needs anddesires of different children.

Yet another feature and advantage of the present invention is itsability to provide identification of game equipment owners.

Yet still another feature and advantage of the present invention is thatit permits adults and children to play together if desired.

A further feature and advantage of the present invention is that it asafe, secure area for families to congregate and interact.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention willbecome more apparent to one skilled in the art from the followingdescription and claims when read in light of the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be better understood by reading the DetailedDescription of the Preferred and Selected Alternate Embodiments withreference to the accompanying drawing figures, in which like referencenumerals denote similar structure and refer to like elements throughout,and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a segmented observable activityenclosure according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a detail perspective view of a central observation enclosureof a segmented observable activity enclosure according to a preferredembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a detail perspective view of an activity area of a segmentedobservable activity enclosure according to a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a segmented observable activityenclosure according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED AND SELECTED ALTERNATIVEEMBODIMENTS

In describing the preferred and selected alternate embodiments of thepresent invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, specific terminology isemployed for the sake of clarity. The invention, however, is notintended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected, and itis to be understood that each specific element includes all technicalequivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish similarfunctions.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, the present invention in a preferredembodiment is segmented observable activity enclosure 10, preferablycomprising segments 20, central observation area 30, fence 50,restricted access gate 60, light standards 70 and segment division lines80. Segments 20 preferably comprise activity areas 40, wherein activityareas 40 preferably selectively comprise games, such as, for exemplarypurposes only, croquet pitches 100, miniature golf courses 110,paddleball courts 120, basketball courts 130, and play area 160.Basketball courts 130 preferably comprise large basketball goal court140 and small basketball goal court 150, wherein small basketball goalcourt 150 is preferably more suited to smaller children 220, therebypreferably permitting children 220 to play in close proximity to adults230, and preferably facilitates instruction of children. Play area 160preferably comprises sand pit 170, and could alternately comprise aJungle Gym or other apparatus to entertain children 220.

Referring now more particularly to FIG. 2, central observation area 30preferably comprises canopy 90, grills 240, tables 250 and benches 260,wherein grills 240 are preferably generally centrally located withinobservation area 30, and wherein tables 250 are preferably disposed in acircular fashion around grills 240, and wherein benches 260 arepreferably disposed circularly around tables 250. Adults/parents/homepurchasers 230 can preferably selectively sit on benches 260 to observethe play of children 220 (best shown in FIG. 3), at tables 250, or cancook on grills 240, while observing children 220.

Referring now more particularly to FIGS. 1, 3-4, segment 20 preferablycomprises croquet pitch 100, wherein children 220 preferably playcroquet by utilizing activity implements 200, and wherein activityimplements 200 preferably comprise indicia 210. Indicia 210 preferablyserve to identify the family of a selected home purchaser 230.

In use, adults 230 and children 220 desirous of performing varioussocial activities preferably enter segmented observable activityenclosure 10 via restricted access gate 60. Fence 50 preferably definessegmented observable activity enclosure 10 and serves to preventunauthorized access, wherein access is preferably only via restrictedaccess gate 60. Preferably utilizing activity implements 200 carryingindicia 210 thereon indicative of the owners thereof, children 220and/or adults 230 preferably play at selected activities according toactivity area 40 that they choose. Adult parents 230 can prepare foodsat grills 240 while observing children 220 and/or communicating withother adults 230; serve food at tables 250 while socializing with otheradults 230 and/or with children 220, or while observing children 220playing in segments 20; communicate with other adults 230 and/orchildren 220 while seated at tables 250, or while observing children 220playing in segments 20; or observe children 220 while seated at benches260. Light standards 70 preferably permit activities to be carried outduring dusk or darkness, and canopy 90 preferably provides shelterduring periods of inclement weather.

Referring now more specifically to FIG. 4, illustrated therein is analternate embodiment of device 10, wherein the alternate embodiment ofFIG. 4 is substantially equivalent in form and function to that of thepreferred embodiment detailed and illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 except ashereinafter specifically referenced. Specifically, the embodiment ofFIG. 4 comprises rectangular activity enclosure 300, wherein rectangularactivity enclosure 300 comprises triangular segments 310, centralobservation area 30, fence 50, restricted access gate 60, lightstandards 70 and segment division lines 80. Triangular segments 310comprise activity areas 40, wherein activity areas 40 selectivelycomprise games, such as, for exemplary purposes only, croquet pitches100, golf pool 180, basketball courts 130, play area 160, and miniaturegolf course 110. Miniature golf course 110 extends across two triangularsegments 310. Basketball courts 130 comprise large basketball court 140and small basketball goal court 150, wherein small basketball goal court150 is more suited to smaller children. Play area 160 comprises sand pit170.

The foregoing description and drawings comprise illustrative embodimentsof the present invention. Having thus described exemplary embodiments ofthe present invention, it should be noted by those skilled in the artthat the within disclosures are exemplary only, and that various otheralternatives, adaptations, and modifications may be made within thescope of the present invention. Merely listing or numbering the steps ofa method in a certain order does not constitute any limitation on theorder of the steps of that method. Many modifications and otherembodiments of the invention will come to mind to one skilled in the artto which this invention pertains having the benefit of the teachingspresented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings.Although specific terms may be employed herein, they are used in ageneric and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the specificembodiments illustrated herein, but is limited only by the followingclaims.

1. A segmented observable activity enclosure comprising: a centralobservation position; and a plurality of activity areasradially-extending from said central observation position.
 2. Thesegmented observable activity enclosure of claim 1, wherein said centralobservation position comprises seating.
 3. The segmented observableactivity enclosure of claim 1, wherein said central observation positioncomprises food preparation equipment.
 4. The segmented observableactivity enclosure of claim 1, wherein said plurality of activity areascomprises activity areas selected from the group consisting of croquetpitches, miniature golf courses, basketball goal-courts, bocce ballcourts, golf pool layout, paddleball, sand pit, Jungle Gym, badmintoncourts, horseshoe pitches, and combinations thereof.
 5. The segmentedobservable activity enclosure of claim 1, wherein said segmentedobservable activity enclosure is disposed within a security perimeter.6. The segmented observable activity enclosure of claim 5, wherein saidsecurity perimeter comprises a fence with access gate.
 7. The segmentedobservable activity enclosure of claim 1, wherein said enclosure isselected from the group consisting of generally circular enclosures,generally square enclosures and generally rectangular enclosures.
 8. Thesegmented observable activity enclosure of claim 1, wherein saidenclosure comprises segments selected from the group consisting ofgenerally pie-shaped segments and generally triangular segments.
 9. Thesegmented observable activity enclosure of claim 1, further comprisinggame equipment labeled to identify the owners thereof.
 10. The segmentedobservable activity enclosure of claim 1, further comprising lighting.11. The segmented observable activity enclosure of claim 1, wherein saidcentral observation position comprises a canopy.
 12. A method ofobserving children during play activity, said method comprising thesteps of: entering a central observation location; and observingchildren playing on activity areas radially-extending from said centralobservation location.
 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising thestep of: providing game equipment labeled with indicia representing theowner thereof to said children.
 14. The method of claim 12, furthercomprising the step of cooking food while observing said children. 15.The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of socializing withother persons while observing said children.
 16. A segmented observableactivity enclosure system comprising: at least one activity arearadially-extending from a central observation location.
 17. Thesegmented observable activity enclosure system of claim 16, wherein saidcentral observation location comprises food preparation equipment andseating.
 18. The segmented observable activity enclosure system of claim17, further comprising a canopy and lighting.
 19. The segmentedobservable activity enclosure system of claim 18, wherein said at leastone activity area comprises an activity area selected from the groupconsisting of croquet pitches, miniature golf courses, basketballgoal-courts, bocce ball courts, golf pool layout, paddleball, sand pit,Jungle Gym, badminton courts, horseshoe pitches, and combinationsthereof.
 20. The segmented observable activity enclosure system of claim19, further comprising activity equipment labeled with indicia relatingto the owner of said equipment.